Windshield wiper having a coupler with positive locking features

ABSTRACT

A windshield wiper assembly adapted to be mounted to the attachment portion of a wiper arm including a coupler assembly mounted to a wiper blade and serving to interconnect the wiper blade to the wiper arm. The coupler assembly includes a coupler having a body with a pair of sidewalls, a channel defined between the sidewalls and extending substantially parallel thereto. The channel is adapted to cooperatively receive the attachment portion of the wiper arm. A latching mechanism is operatively mounted to the body and movable between an open position spaced from the channel and a closed position disposed over the channel to secure the attachment portion of the wiper arm between the latching mechanism and the body thereby securing the coupler to the attachment portion of the wiper arm.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication entitled “Windshield Wiper Having a Coupler with PositiveLocking Features,” having Ser. No. 61/410,151, and filed on Nov. 4,2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, generally, to windshield wiperassemblies. More specifically, the present invention relates to awindshield wiper assembly having a coupler with features that positivelylock the coupler to the attachment portion of a windshield wiper arm.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional windshield wiper assemblies known in the related artinclude some type of wiper blade assembly mounted to an arm which, inturn, is mounted adjacent to a surface to be wiped, such as awindshield. Some type of coupler assembly is typically employed to mountthe wiper blade to the arm. The wiper arm is pivotally driven to impartreciprocal motion to the wiper blade assembly across the windshield. Arubber wiping element is supported by the blade assembly and contactsthe windshield across the surface to be wiped. The wiper blade iscommonly either of the “tournament” or “beam blade” type. Both types ofwiper assemblies commonly known in the related art typically incorporateone or more metal strips that act to reinforce the wiper element andfacilitate wiping contact by the element across what is typically acurved glass surface. In this context, the wiper arm delivers a downwardforce to the blade assembly that is distributed thereacross, pressingthe blade assembly into contact with the surface to be wiped.

Windshield wiper assemblies are not meant to last forever andultimately, the wiper blades wear out. Accordingly, wiper blades aredesigned to be replaced. While each type of windshield wiper assemblymentioned above has worked for its intended purpose, some of the devicesused to interconnect the wiper blade to the wiper arm can be confusingto operate. Thus, the public is often frustrated when attempting toreplace worn out wiper blades and must enlist the help of anafter-market parts supplier or automotive technician for assistance withinstalling the replacement blade. This can require added time and costto the process of replacing the worn out wiper blade.

Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a windshield wiperassembly having a coupler that positively mounts the wiper blade to thewiper arm and that is intuitive and easy to operate such that it isunlikely to require the user to seek assistance in replacing a worn outwiper blade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes many limitations and disadvantages inthe related art in a windshield wiper assembly adapted to be mounted tothe attachment portion of a wiper arm that imparts reciprocal motion tothe windshield wiper assembly across the surface to be wiped. Thewindshield wiper assembly of the present invention includes a wiperblade adapted to contact the surface to be wiped. A coupler assembly isoperatively mounted to the wiper blade and serves to interconnect thewiper blade to the wiper arm. The coupler assembly includes a couplerhaving a body with a pair of sidewalls, a channel defined between thepair of sidewalls and extending substantially parallel thereto. Thechannel is adapted to cooperatively receive the attachment portion ofthe wiper arm. In addition, the coupler assembly includes a latchingmechanism that is operatively mounted to the body and movable between anopen position spaced from the channel and a closed position disposedover the channel to secure the attachment portion of the wiper armbetween the latching mechanism and the body thereby securing the couplerto the attachment portion of the wiper arm. In this way, the windshieldwiper assembly of the present invention provides a coupler thatpositively mounts the wiper blade to the wiper arm and is intuitive andeasy to operate such that it is unlikely to require the user to seekassistance in replacing the worn out wiper blade.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will bereadily appreciated as the same becomes better understood after readingthe subsequent description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the front of an automotivevehicle having a pair of windshield wiper assemblies that are pivotallymounted for reciprocal movement across the windshield of the vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective assembly view of one embodiment of thewindshield wiper assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the couplerassembly mounted to the wiper blade;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the coupler assembly;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the coupler assemblytaken from the vantage point of the underside thereof;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the coupler assemblytaken from a vantage point that is longitudinally opposite to thatillustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the coupler assembly takenfrom the underside thereof from a vantage point that is longitudinallyopposite to that illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective assembly view of a windshield wiperassembly showing one embodiment of the coupler assembly in preparationfor mounting to the attachment member of the wiper arm;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective assembly view of a windshield wiperassembly showing the attachment member of the wiper arm mounted relativeto one embodiment of the coupler assembly with the latching mechanismdisposed in its open position;

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective assembly view of the windshield wiperassembly mounted to a wiper arm with one embodiment of the latchingmechanism disposed in its closed position;

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective assembly view of a windshield wiperassembly having another embodiment of the coupler assembly of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective assembly view of a windshield wiperassembly having the embodiment of the coupler assembly illustrated inFIG. 11 showing the latching mechanism in its first, open position; and

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective assembly view of a windshield wiperassembly having the embodiment of the coupler assembly illustrated inFIG. 11 showing the latching mechanism disposed in its second, closedposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to the figures, where like numerals are used to designatelike structure, a portion of a representative vehicle is schematicallyillustrated at 10 in FIG. 1. The vehicle includes a cowl 12, a roof 14,and a pair of laterally spaced front or “A” pillars 16 extending betweenthe roof 14 and the cowl 12. The A-pillars 16, roof 14, and cowl 12cooperate to define a generally rectangular opening 18 in which issupported a curved or “swept back” glass windshield 20.

A wiper system is generally indicated at 22 in FIG. 1 and is employed toclean the glass windshield 20. The wiper system 22 includes a wiper arm,generally indicated at 24 and a wiper assembly, generally indicated at26. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a wipersystem 22 may include more than one wiper arm 24 and more than one wiperassembly 26. By way of example and as indicated in FIG. 1, a wipersystem 22 may include a pair of wiper arms 24 and wiper assemblies 26,which correspond to the driver and passenger side of the vehicle 10.

The wiper arm 24 imparts reciprocal motion to the windshield wiperassembly 26 across the surface to be wiped, in this case the windshield.To this end, the wiper arm 24 includes a pivot end 30 operativelyattached to an electrical motor (not shown) to move the wiper arm 24across the surface to be wiped in an oscillating manner. The wiper arm24 further includes an elongate body 28 that extends outward from apivot end 30 and an attachment member, described in greater detailbelow. The elongate body 28 has a predetermined length that is designedto direct the wiper assembly 26 across the appropriate surface area.Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the predetermined length of theelongate body 28 will vary depending on the surface area to be wiped.Furthermore, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatthe elongate body 28 may be jointed for movement away from the surfaceto be wiped in order to facilitate replacement of the wiper assembly 26when worn or to perform other maintenance or repair to the wiper system22 or adjacent area of the vehicle 10. In addition to these elements,the wiper arm 24 may further include a biasing member (not shown), suchas a spring, to provide a biasing force that facilitates contact betweenthe wiper assembly 26 and the windshield 20 of the vehicle 10.

The windshield wiper assembly 26 includes a wiper blade, generallyindicated at 32, that is adapted to contact the surface to be wiped. Inthis context, the windshield wiper assembly 26 of the present inventionmay employ either a tournament style wiper blade or a beam blade stylewiper blade. In the representative example illustrated in the figures,the windshield wiper assembly is shown using a beam blade type wiperblade 32. However, those having ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that any type of conventional wiper blade may be employed inthe assembly of the present invention without departing from the scopeof the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2-7, the representative wiper blade 32 illustrated inthe figures includes a wiping element, generally indicated at 36, thatis adapted to contact the surface of the vehicle 10 to be wiped, in thisrepresentative example, the windshield 20. The wiping element 36 has apredetermined length and cross-sectional profile corresponding to aparticular application and is typically constructed from a flexiblerubber. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thewiping element 36 may be constructed from any flexible material, such assilicone or other polymer, and via any manufacturing process, such asextrusion or injection molding, without departing from the scope of theinvention.

Because the representative wiper blade 32 illustrated in the drawings isof the beam blade type, it includes an elongated beam 38 (FIG. 3) thatoperatively engages the wiping element 36. The elongated beam 38 isadapted to distribute downward pressure from the wiper arm 24 across thewiping element 36. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, thewiping element 36 may be operatively attached to the bottom of theelongated beam 38 by an adhesive/epoxy. However, those having ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that the wiping element may beoperatively mounted to the elongated beam 38 by other methods such asthrough a slot defined in the elongated beam 38 that receives a portionof the wiping element 36. Furthermore, those having ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate that the wiper assembly 26 may include more thanone elongated beam 38 that is operatively engaged to the wiping element36. Alternatively and as noted above, the wiper blade 32 may be of thetournament style or any other conventional type of blade.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the wiper assembly 26 may also includean airfoil, generally indicated at 40 that utilizes airflow to increasedownward force on to the wiper assembly 26 and thereby reduces thelikelihood of windlift during operational movement across the surface tobe wiped. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatthe airfoil 40, elongated beam 38 and wiping element 36 may be joinedtogether through any conventional means such as bonding the airfoil 40to the top end of the elongated beam 38 via adhesive/epoxy or byemploying additional structure such as a retainer or spline that couplesthe wiping element 36 to the elongated beam 38 or the elongated beam 38to the airfoil 40 without departing from the scope of the invention. Theairfoil 40 may be manufactured from a thermoplastic material via, forexample, an extrusion process, or an injection molding process using apolymer composition having greater hydrophobic properties than thematerials used for manufacturing the wiping element 36.

The wiper assembly 26 may also include a pair of end caps, generallyindicated at 42. The end caps 42 are adapted to operatively engage theairfoil 40 and include a profile that substantially mimics the contoursof the airfoil 40 to maintain the wind lift characteristics of the wiperassembly 26 and to provide an increased aesthetic value.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-7, the wiper assembly 26 further includes acoupler assembly, generally indicated at 44, that is operatively mountedto the wiper blade 32 and serves to interconnect the wiper blade to thewiper arm 24. To this end, the coupler assembly 44 includes a coupler,generally indicated at 46, and an adapter, generally indicated at 48.Each of these components will be described in greater detail below.

More specifically, the adapter 48 is generally disposed at anintermediate position along the length of the wiper blade 32. Theadapter 48 includes a base 50 and a pair of upstanding sidewalls 52disposed in spaced parallel relationship with respect to the base 50.The base 50 also includes a plurality of transversely extending tangs 54that are adapted to operatively engage the bottom of the elongated beam38. The adapter 48 also includes a hole 55 that extends through the pairof upstanding walls 52 for a purpose that will be described below. Thetangs 54 cooperate to define a track, generally indicated at 58, thatoperatively receives an intermediate portion of the elongated beam 38.As shown in FIG. 7, the adapter 48 may include four transverselyextending tangs 54 operatively disposed adjacent to the airfoil 40 toaccommodate the resiliency of the elongated beam 38. In this manner, aportion of the elongated beam 38 is retained within the track 58, butremains able to flex in response to the curvature of the surface to bewiped.

However, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thetangs 54 may include additional structure to prevent axial movementbetween the adapter 48 and the elongated beam 38. By way of example, oneor more of the tangs 54 may further include a post and the elongatedbeam 38 may include a corresponding detent that is adapted to receivethe post to prevent such axial movement of the adapter 48 relative tothe elongated beam 38. Those having ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the adapter 48 may be operatively attached to theelongated beam 38 by several methods other than as described above. Byway of example, the adapter 48 may be fixed by adhesive, riveting orwelding to the elongated beam 38.

The coupler 46 includes a body 60 having a pair of sidewalls 62. Achannel 64 is defined between the sidewalls 62 and extends substantiallyparallel thereto. The channel 64 is adapted to cooperatively receive theattachment portion of the wiper arm 24, as will be described in greaterdetail below. The body 60 is operatively mounted to the adapter 48. Tothis end, the body 60 includes a pair of inwardly extending bosses 66.The bosses 66 extending between the pair of upstanding sidewalls 62 onthe adapter 48 are received in the hole 55 defined in the walls 52 ofthe adapter to mount the body 60 to the adapter 48.

A latching mechanism, generally indicated at 68, is operatively mountedto the body 60 and is moveable between an open position spaced from thechannel 64 as illustrated in FIGS. 8-9 and a closed position disposedover the channel 64, as illustrated in FIG. 10, to secure the attachmentportion of the wiper arm 24 between the latching mechanism 68 and thebody 60. In this way, the coupler 46 is secured to the attachmentportion of the wiper arm 24. The latching mechanism 68 also includes alocking member, generally indicated at 70, that serves to secure thelatching mechanism 68 in the closed position. The locking member 70includes at least one flexible arm, generally indicated at 72. The body60 defines a retainer 74. The flexible arm 72 is adapted for releasableengagement with the retainer 74 so that the latching mechanism 68 issnap-fit relative to the body 60 when in the closed position. Thestructural detail of the locking member 70 and the interaction of thelatching mechanism 68, as well as the body with respect to differenttypes of attachment members, will be described in greater detail below.

The latching mechanism 68 defines a top wall 76 and a pair of sidewalls78 that depend from the top wall 76. In addition, the latching mechanism68 includes a pair of ears 80 extending in cantilevered fashion from thepair of sidewalls 78 and disposed spaced from the locking member 70. Theears 80 include a pair of inwardly projecting bosses 82 that are axiallyaligned with respect to one another. In turn, the body 60 includes apair of inwardly extending openings 84. The bosses 82 are adapted to becooperatively received in the inwardly extending openings 84 such thatthe latching mechanism 68 is pivotally mounted relative to the body 60about an axis defined by the bosses 82. However, those having ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that the bosses may be formed on thebody and the inwardly extending openings may be formed on the earswithout departing from the scope of the invention.

In addition, the channel 64 may include one or more lugs 86 disposed inspaced relationship with respect to each other and extend upwardly fromthe channel 64. The lugs 86 are adapted to be received in correspondingholes 88 defined in the various embodiments of the attachment portion ofthe wiper arm, as will be described in greater detail below. However,those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the lugs 86are optional.

The body 60 of the coupler 46 also defines a pair of shoulders 90 thatextend along the longitudinal length of the sidewalls 78. The sidewalls78 of the latching mechanism 68 are juxtaposed in side-by-siderelationship with the sidewalls 62 of the body 60 and adjacent theshoulder 90 when the latching mechanism 68 is in its closed position.

As noted above, the wiper arm 24 further includes an attachment member.There are two types of attachment members illustrated in the figures.One embodiment of an attachment member is generally indicated at 94 inFIGS. 2 and 8-10. The attachment member 94 is disposed at or adjacent tothe end of the elongate body 28, opposite the pivot end 30 of the wiperarm 24. The attachment member 94 is adapted to operatively engage thecoupler 46, as will be described in greater detail below. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8-9, the attachment member 94 includes abase 96 and bent tab 98 extending linearly outward from the base 96. Theattachment member 94 further includes a pair of rails 100 depending fromthe base 96 aligned with respect to each other. The rails have terminaledges 92. The base 96 and rails 100 cooperate to define a track,generally indicated at 102, that is operatively received and retained bythe coupler assembly 44, as will be described in greater detail below.In addition, the attachment member 94 includes an aperture 104 as wellas the spaced holes 88 formed on the base 96. The locking member 70 ofthe coupler assembly 44 illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 is designed toaccommodate the attachment member 94 illustrated in the figures.

More specifically and referring to FIGS. 8-10, the flexible arm 72 ofthe locking member 70 of this embodiment has a first portion 108 thatextends in cantilevered fashion from the top wall 76 of the latchingmechanism 68 in a first direction, as well as a second portion 110 thatis spaced from the first portion 108 and extends in a direction oppositeto the first portion 108. The second portion 110 terminates in a distalend 112. A shoulder 114 is formed on the second portion 110 locatedspaced from the distal end 112. A hinge portion 116 interconnects thefirst 108 and second 110 portions such that the second portion 110flexes upon coming into contact with the retainer 74 to move toward thefirst portion 108 until the shoulder 114 engages the retainer 74 andlocks the latching mechanism 68 in the closed position.

On the other hand, the retainer 74 includes an opening 118 defined inthe body 60. The opening 118 corresponds with the aperture 104 formed onthe base 96 of the attachment portion 94 illustrated in FIGS. 8-9. Theretainer opening 118 defines a locking ridge 120. The shoulder 114 ofthe second portion 110 of the flexible arm 72 is adapted to be disposedin abutting engagement with the locking ridge 120 when the latchingmechanism 68 is in its closed position (FIG. 10). Similarly, the lugs 86are adapted to be received in the spaced holes 88 formed on theattachment member 94 as illustrated in FIGS. 8-9. In addition, theterminal edge 92 of the rails 100 are disposed adjacent the shoulders 90when the attachment member 94 is mounted in the coupler 46. As usedherein, the term “adjacent” means that the terminal edge 92 of the rails100 of the attachment member 94 may be disposed immediately next to, or,alternatively, in abutting contact with, the shoulders 90 of the body 60when the attachment member 94 is received by the coupler 46. In thisway, and when the latching mechanism 68 is disposed in its closedposition, the attachment member 94 of the wiper arm 24 is sandwichedbetween the latching mechanism 68 and the channel 64 defined in the body60 of the coupler 46. Thus, the coupler 46 is positively mounted in alocked fashion to the attachment member 94.

When it is desired to replace the wiper blade 32, for example when theblade has become worn, the distal end 112 of the second portion 110 maybe biased toward the first portion to disengage the shoulder 114 fromthe locking ridge 120. The latching mechanism 68 then may be rotatedabout the axis defined between the bosses 82 and the openings 84 to movethe latching mechanism 68 to its first, open position. The attachmentmember 94 may be then easily removed from the coupler 46 and a new wiperblade installed thereon.

Another embodiment of the coupler having a locking member that isspecifically designed to cooperate with a different type attachmentmember is illustrated in FIGS. 11-13. In this case, the attachmentmember 294 of the wiper arm 224 is essentially a substantially flat,rectangular wire stock that terminates in a bent tab 298 extendinglinearly outward and downwardly from the wire stock. A pair of spacedholes 288 are formed in the rectangular wire stock 294 to cooperate withthe lugs 286 defined in the channel 264 of the body 260 of the coupler246.

The embodiment of the coupler 246 that is designed to accommodate thisattachment member 294 is substantially similar to the couplerillustrated in FIGS. 2-10. Accordingly, like numerals increased by twohundred are used to designate like structure between the twoembodiments. In addition, and because of the similarities, thedescription that follows will focus on the differences between these twoembodiments. Thus, the reader may assume that where structure of thisembodiment has not been described, it is the same as the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 2-10.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, the opening 318 disposedin the body 260 is located biased toward the ears 280 and is adapted toaccommodate the bent tab 298 extending linearly outward and downwardlyfrom the wire stock attachment member 294.

The latching mechanism 268 defines a top wall 276 and a pair ofsidewalls 278 depending therefrom. The locking member 270 includes apair of flexible arms 272 interconnected by a cross member 312. Each ofthe pair of flexible arms 272 has a first portion 308 extendingcantilevered from the sidewalls 278 in a first direction as well as asecond portion 310 spaced from the first portion 308 and extending in adirection opposite the first portion 308. The second portion 310terminates at the cross member 312. A hinge portion 316 interconnectseach of the first 308 and second 310 portions such that the secondportions 310 flex upon coming in contact with the retainer 274 to movetoward the first portion 308 until the retainer 274 is engaged and thelatching mechanism 268 is locked in a closed position.

The retainer 274 includes a pair of upwardly opening slots 322 formed inthe sidewall 262 of the body 260 of the coupler 246. Each of the slots322 includes at least one tongue 324 extending outwardly therefrom. Eachof the second portions 310 of the flexible arms 272 includes a groove326 that corresponds to the tongue 324. The pair of upwardly openingslots 322 correspond to the pair of flexible arms 272 and cooperatetherewith to receive the pair of flexible arms 272 such that the tongues324 are received in the grooves 326 so as to retain the latchingmechanism 268 when the latching mechanism 268 is in its second, closedposition.

When the latching mechanism 268 is disposed in its closed position, thebent tab 298 of the flat wire stock attachment member 294 is disposed inthe opening 318 and the lugs 286 extending upwardly from the body 260are received in holes 288 defined in the attachment member 294 such thatthe attachment member 294 of the wiper arm 224 is sandwiched between thelatching mechanism 268 and the channel 264 defined in the body 260 ofthe coupler 246. In addition, the terminal edge 292 of the sidewalls 278are disposed adjacent the opposite edge 290 of the sidewalls 262 of thebody 260 of the coupler when the latching mechanism 268 is in its closedposition. As used herein, the term “adjacent” means that the terminaledge 292 of the sidewalls 278 of the latching mechanism 268 may bedisposed immediately next to, or alternately, in abutting contact with,the opposite edge 290 of the sidewall 262 of the body 260 when thelatching mechanism 268 is in its closed position. Thus, the coupler 246is positively mounted in a locked fashion to the attachment member.

When it is desired to replace the wiper blade, for example when theblade has become worn, the cross member 312 of the second portion 310may be biased toward the first portion 308 to disengage the tongues 324from the grooves 326 such that the latching mechanism 368 may be rotatedabout the axis defined between the bosses 282 and the openings 284 outof engagement with the retainer 274 to move the latching mechanism 268to its first, open position. The attachment member 294 may be theneasily removed from the coupler 246 and a new wiper blade installedthereon.

The body 60, 260 of the coupler 46, 246 may be manufactured from anysuitable plastic material. Because of the sandwiching effect between thelatching mechanism 68, 268, the metal attachment member 94, 294, as wellas the channel 64, 264 defined in the plastic body 60, 260, the couplerassembly 44 of the present invention provides a very strong connectionbetween the wiper arm 24 and the windshield wiper assembly 26. Thus, thewindshield wiper assembly 26 of the present invention provides a couplerassembly 44 that positively mounts the wiper blade to the wiper arm andis intuitive and easy to operate such that it is unlikely to require theuser to seek assistance in replacing the worn out wiper blade.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to beunderstood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be inthe nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Manymodifications and variations of the invention are possible in light ofthe above teachings. Therefore, the invention may be practiced otherthan as specifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A windshield wiper assembly adapted to be mountedto the attachment portion of a wiper arm that imparts reciprocal motionto the windshield wiper assembly across a surface to be wiped, saidwindshield wiper assembly comprising: a wiper blade adapted to contactthe surface to be wiped; a coupler assembly operatively mounted to saidwiper blade and serving to interconnect said wiper blade to the wiperarm; said coupler assembly including a coupler having a body including apair of sidewalls, a channel defined between said sidewalls andextending substantially parallel thereto so as to define a longitudinalaxis of said body, said channel adapted to cooperatively receive theattachment portion of the wiper arm, said channel further including apair of lugs disposed in spaced relationship with respect to each otherand extending upwardly from said channel, said lugs adapted to bereceived in corresponding holes defined in the attachment portion of thewiper arm so as to prevent the wiper arm from moving longitudinallyrelative to said body; and a latching mechanism operatively mounted tosaid body and moveable between an open position spaced from said channeland a closed position disposed over said channel to secure theattachment portion of the wiper arm between said latching mechanism andsaid body thereby securing said coupler to the attachment portion of thewiper arm; said latching mechanism including a locking member, saidlocking member serving to secure said latching mechanism in said closedposition; said locking member including at least one flexible arm, saidbody defining a retainer, said at least one flexible arm adapted forreleasable engagement with said retainer so that said latching mechanismis snap fit relative to said body when in said closed position; saidlatching mechanism defining a top wall and a pair of sidewalls dependingtherefrom, said at least one flexible arm having a first portionextending cantilevered from said top wall in a first direction, a secondportion spaced from said first portion extending in a direction oppositesaid first portion and terminating in a distal end, a shoulder formed onsaid second portion spaced from said distal end, a hinge portioninterconnecting said first and second portions such that said secondportion flexes upon coming into contact with said retainer to movetoward said first portion until said shoulder engages said retainer andlocks said latching mechanism in said closed position.
 2. The windshieldwiper assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retainer includes anopening defined in said body, said opening defining a locking ridge,said shoulder of said second portion adapted to be disposed in abuttingengagement with said locking ridge when said latching mechanism is inits closed position.
 3. The windshield wiper assembly as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said body of said coupler defines a pair of shouldersextending along the longitudinal length of said sidewalls, saidsidewalls of said latching mechanisms juxtaposed in side-by-siderelationship with said sidewalls of said body and adjacent said shoulderwhen said latching mechanism is in said closed position.
 4. Thewindshield wiper assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said couplerassembly includes an adapter operatively mounted to said wiper blade,said body operatively mounted to said adapter.
 5. The windshield wiperassembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said adapter includes a baseand a pair of upstanding sidewalls disposed in spaced parallelrelationship with respect to said base, said base including a pluralityof transversely extending tangs that are adapted to operatively engagesaid wiper blade.
 6. A windshield wiper assembly adapted to be mountedto the attachment portion of a wiper arm that imparts reciprocal motionto the windshield wiper assembly across a surface to be wiped, saidwindshield wiper assembly comprising: a wiper blade adapted to contactthe surface to be wiped; a coupler assembly including an adapteroperatively mounted to said wiper blade and serving to interconnect saidwiper blade to the wiper arm; said coupler assembly including a couplerhaving a body operatively mounted to said adapter, said body including apair of sidewalls, a channel defined between said sidewalls andextending substantially parallel thereto, said channel adapted tocooperatively receive the attachment portion of the wiper arm; and alatching mechanism operatively mounted to said body and moveable betweenan open position spaced from said channel and a closed position disposedover said channel to secure the attachment portion of the wiper armbetween said latching mechanism and said body thereby securing saidcoupler to the attachment portion of the wiper arm; said latchingmechanism includes a locking member, said locking member includes atleast one flexible arm, said body of said coupler defining a retainer,said flexible arm adapted for releasable engagement with said retainerso that said latching mechanism is snap fit relative to said body whenin said closed position; said latching mechanism further defining a topwall and a pair of sidewalls depending therefrom, said flexible armhaving a first portion extending cantilevered from said top wall in afirst direction, a second portion spaced from said first portionextending in a direction opposite said first portion and terminating ina distal end, a shoulder formed on said second portion spaced from saiddistal end, a hinge portion interconnecting said first and secondportions such that said second portion flexes upon coming into contactwith said retainer to move toward said first portion until said shoulderengages said retainer and locks said latching mechanism in said closedposition.
 7. The windshield wiper assembly as set forth in claim 6wherein said retainer includes an opening defined in said body, saidopening defining a locking ridge, said shoulder of said second portionadapted to be disposed in abutting engagement with said locking ridgewhen said latching member is in its closed position.
 8. The windshieldwiper assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said latching mechanismincludes a pair of ears extending in cantilevered fashion from said pairof sidewalls and disposed spaced from said locking member, said earsincluding a pair of inwardly projecting bosses that are axially alignedwith respect to one another, said body including a pair of inwardlyextending openings, said bosses adapted to be cooperatively received insaid inwardly extending openings such that said latching mechanism ispivotally mounted relative to said body about an axis defined by saidbosses.
 9. The windshield wiper assembly as set forth in claim 6 whereinsaid channel includes a pair of lugs disposed in spaced relationshipwith respect to each other and extending upwardly from said channel,said lugs adapted to be received in corresponding holes defined in theattachment portion of the wiper arm.
 10. The windshield wiper assemblyas set forth in claim 6 wherein said body of said coupler defines a pairof shoulders extending along the longitudinal length of said sidewalls,said sidewalls of said latching mechanism juxtaposed in side-by-siderelationship with said sidewalls of said body and adjacent said shoulderwhen said latching mechanism is in said closed position.